Widower Files Suit Over Woman’s Death from Falling Debris in Manhattan

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A widower whose wife died when she was hit by falling debris on a Manhattan street filed a lawsuit against the building’s owner and the city, claiming negligence and wrongful death.

The civil suit from Steven Tishman in connection to the December death of Erica Tishman was filed in Manhattan, and named Himmel + Meringoff Properties LLC, the owners of the Seventh Avenue building, and the city of New York.

Erica Tishman, 60, was a few blocks from her office when a piece of facade fell from a 17-story office building and hit the architect on Dec. 17.

In his lawsuit, Steven Tishman accused the building owner of knowing about the facade defects but failing to repair them, and the city of not following up on violations that had been issued against the building or taking steps to ensure public safety.

“The defendants robbed Erica Tishman of her life, they robbed Steven Tishman of his wife, and they robbed three children of their mother,” the lawsuit said.

The city’s corporation counsel in a statement called the death a “tragic incident” and said the case was being reviewed.

A representative for the building owners also issued a statement calling Tishman’s death a “profound tragedy.” The statement said the company had been working to get the needed city approvals for the facade repairs and is about to start work.